Swingout Santa Cruz
Swingout Santa Cruz hosts, DJ's and teachers
Host, Teacher, DJ
I started dancing swing in 1997. What started as a passing trend, had way more depth than I expected and has turned into a lifelong passion and joy for me. In 2014 I started Swing Set Lounge with Shira and we began teaching weekly lessons. Six years later, Swing Set Lounge closed its doors during the covid pandemic.
Post-covid, searching for a place to dance outdoors, I found the deteriorating wharf stage… After a couple of meetings I convinced the Santa Cruz Wharf to let me rebuild the stage. In September of '22 a ragtag volunteer assembly of twelve dancers descended on the stage, tore it from its foundation, and promptly replaced it with a new dance-friendly surface. Since October '22 we continue to host this free monthly public event every second Saturday. If you come by, please ask me for a dance!
Host, Teacher
Shira has enjoyed a lifelong passion for dance and found the world of social dancing when Lindy Hop took hold of Santa Cruz in 1997. Shira has taught dance locally since 1990 focusing on studio styles of jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap and lyrical until her skill and dedication to swing and social dancing led to regular classes in lindy hop starting in 2000. Shira has been teaching social swing styles since then, taking a break from dance for her two bouncing baby boys (who still refuse to dance with her, but have perfected the eye roll especially for those moments she drags them onto the dance floor for a spin).
Shira’s first passion is for community building and her dedication to teaching and hosting social dance events is a direct incarnation of the spirit of community and peer learning.
Shira’s hope is that dancers who come to her classes have fun, meet great friends, get serious about becoming a great dancer, and share their new skills, bringing up the level of all dancers in the community.
Shira definitely wants to dance with you! Please ask her!
I am obsessed with Lindy Hop and love to spread the joy of dance! I consider myself to be a lifelong beginner and adore bringing new people into the world of swing dance. I passionately believes that dancing is good for humans and every person can dance. My whole goal is to help you feel good in your body by connecting to yourself, your partner, and the music.
I teach with Santa Cruz Swing at the 418 project. You can also find me teaching around town for Plateau Jazz band, at Western Wednesdays, and at the Wharf!
Host, Teacher
Jeff feels like he’s been around forever. Through the old school Lindy Hop community, he discovered Balboa, and that’s where his passion has settled. Building community and dance family is a personal credo. Having fun and laughing at every twist and turn, enjoyment and exercise is what Jeff believes it’s all about.
Jeff instructs and coaches Balboa at MCSC in Capitola, Tuesday evenings. Using a building block method of breaking dance moves down into bits and pieces then sewing them back together into your own creation is Jeff’s methodology. He is a regular at the Swingout SC Wharf and wants to dance with everyone, just to laugh and enjoy, at every level.